ExpressVPN alternatives, matched to why you're switching
By Jean Luc Poitier, SEO and growth marketing strategist · NordVPN Reviews · Updated October 1, 2026 · Grounded in 50 recent ExpressVPN reviews
Disclosure: this site reviews NordVPN and earns a commission if you sign up through our links. NordVPN is one option below, and we say where it isn't the right fix.
Why buyers look past ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN's recent reviews are mostly happy: its 49 most recent invited Trustpilot reviews (September 25 to October 1, 2026) averaged 4.86, and only one recent review was unprompted. The complaints that do appear are about streaming that buffers or won't unblock, setup taking a while, and conflicts with other devices or antivirus software.
The bigger reasons to look elsewhere are on the spec sheet. ExpressVPN doesn't publish a server count, some of its 113 countries are virtual locations, and its higher tiers cost more than most rivals.
“Buffering issues sporadically continue with Netflix and Apple streaming.”Rob Narynski, Trustpilot, September 2026
“it has taken me 2 Saturdays to hook up and I am still not able to view Rai Italian station”Connolly, Trustpilot, September 2026
Match the ExpressVPN alternative to your reason for leaving
| Best alternative | Check before switching | |
|---|---|---|
| Want a bigger, published network | NordVPN: 7,300+ servers in 150 countries | Renews at $139.08/yr vs ExpressVPN's $99.95 |
| Want malware blocking in the VPN app | NordVPN Complete: malware scanner and ad blocker | Scanner and ad blocker work on desktop only |
| Want to pay less | Surfshark: $67.23 for 27 months, renews at $79/yr | Same parent group as NordVPN |
| Want a free option | Proton VPN Free: no data cap | 1 device; server country chosen for you |
| Want an anonymous account | Mullvad: no email, cash accepted | 5 devices; 566 servers |
Figures checked against each company's published pages and review-platform listings as of 2026-10-01. “Not published” means the company does not publish that figure.
The 5 best ExpressVPN alternatives
NordVPN
Bigger network, longer audit recordNordVPN publishes 7,300+ servers in 150 countries, has had its no-logs policy reviewed six times (ExpressVPN four), adds free Meshnet and a malware scanner on Complete, and CNET calls it the fastest VPN. Both hold a PCMag Editors' Choice, and the two rate the same on the App Store (4.7) and Google Play (4.6). ExpressVPN's recent invited Trustpilot reviewers score it higher (4.86 vs 4.54), and NordVPN Basic renews for more ($139.08 vs $99.95 a year).
Full NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison →Surfshark
Lowest price, unlimited devicesStarter costs $67.23 for 27 months and renews at $79 a year, the lowest of the major names, with unlimited devices and a 7-day trial on annual plans. PCMag Editors' Choice. Caveat: 4,500+ servers in 100 countries, and it shares a parent company with NordVPN.
NordVPN vs Surfshark →Proton VPN
Free plan, open sourceA free plan with no data cap, open-source apps, five Securitum no-logs audits, and a renewal of $83.88 a year on VPN Plus. Caveat: its recent unprompted Trustpilot reviews averaged 2.0 from 99.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN →Mullvad
Flat price, no email€5 a month for any term, no account email, and cash payments. Caveat: 5 devices, a much smaller network, and no streaming claims.
NordVPN vs Mullvad →Norton VPN
Cheap first year, 60-day refund$39.99 for the first year of Standard and a 60-day refund that covers renewals. Caveat: about 140 locations, 5 devices on Standard, and PCMag rates it 3.5.
NordVPN vs Norton VPN →
When to stay with ExpressVPN
Stay if you like ExpressVPN's apps and plan to renew: Basic renews at $99.95 a year, less than NordVPN, and its higher tiers allow 12 or 14 devices. CNET named it the best VPN overall in September 2026.
Switch to NordVPN if you want a published, larger server network, a longer no-logs audit record, Meshnet, and malware blocking built into the VPN app.
See NordVPN pricingHow we sourced this: ExpressVPN's 50 most recent Trustpilot reviews (September 25 to October 1, 2026; 49 invited, 1 unprompted, by Trustpilot's labels) and NordVPN's 200 most recent labelled reviews (September 14 to October 1, 2026; 181 invited, 19 unprompted). Prices and features come from each company's site, checked October 1, 2026. Quotes are verbatim.
ExpressVPN alternatives FAQ
What are the best ExpressVPN alternatives?+
NordVPN for a bigger network and more audits, Surfshark for the lowest price and unlimited devices, Proton VPN for a free plan, Mullvad for an anonymous account, and Norton VPN for a cheap first year.
What do ExpressVPN reviews say?+
ExpressVPN rates 4.4 from 29,186 Trustpilot reviews. Its 49 most recent invited reviews averaged 4.86; the few complaints were about streaming, setup time, and device conflicts.
Is NordVPN better than ExpressVPN?+
NordVPN has a larger published network, more no-logs reviews, Meshnet, and a malware scanner, and CNET rates it fastest. ExpressVPN renews for less and allows more devices on its higher tiers.
Does ExpressVPN publish its pricing?+
Yes. Basic showed $83.72 for 28 months on most visits (some showed $97.72) and renews at $99.95 a year; month to month it's $14.99.